CVU.com National Player of the Week (Sep. 18): Melanie Stutsman, Western Kentucky

18-Sep-2012

By Landon Olson Update Staff

The Collegiate Volleyball Update (CVU.com) is pleased to announce that Western Kentucky junior Melanie Stutsman has been selected as the CVU.com National Player of the Week for Sept. 10 through Sept. 16.

A 5-11 setter from Floyd Knobs, Ind., Stutsman guided the Lady Toppers to a perfect 4-0 week, including a tournament sweep and an AVCA Top 25 upset.

Lipscomb was first up in the early week tilt and WKU dispatched the Lady Bisons in three as Stutsman tossed out 29 assists with her team hitting .341. She was without an error herself on the attack, tallying seven kills on .538 hitting to go with six digs and two blocks.

The momentum continued into the Coke/Michigan Invitational as Western Kentucky opened with a 3-1 win over Duke in which the junior dished out 50 assists. Then came the Lady Toppers' marquee win of the week — a 3-2 upset of No. 22 Michigan. In that victory, Stutsman set WKU to a .338 hitting percentage as she had 54 assists, six kills, two digs and two blocks.

To wrap up the week, Western Kentucky downed Eastern Michigan in four, with Stutsman that time recording 45 helpers as four players reached double figure in kills. The junior had eight kills of her own to go with five digs.

For the weekend, Stutsman averaged 11.13 assists per set over 16 sets, chipping in 25 kills, 24 digs and six blocks as the team hit .286.

Stutsman is the third WKU player — and second Lady Topper setter — to be honored with the CVU.com Weekly award. The last was Jordyn Skinner in 2011.

In addition to the Player of the Week, CVU.com will be announcing selections for the Top Performers from the past week. These selections will include the Player of the Week and up to 10 others. Choices will consist of players who were finalists for the weekly honor and others who had exceptional individual matches. The additional selections will be based on nominations and CVU.com staff criteria.

Top Performers

Andrea Beck, Wake Forest, Senior, Middle blocker, 6-1

Adreene Elliott, Maryland, Sophomore, Middle blocker, 6-3

Chloe Ferrari, San Diego, Junior, Middle hitter, 6-1

Macey Gardner, Arizona State, Freshman, Outside hitter, 6-0

Kristen Hahn, Iowa State, Junior, Libero, 5-6

Lisa Henning, Missouri, Junior, Outside hitter, 6-1

Cara Leslie, Stephen F. Austin, Freshman, Middle blocker, 6-1

Arica Nassar, Oregon State, Sophomore, Middle blocker, 6-1

Kara Reis, Fairfield, Junior, Libero, 5-9

Madalyn Shalter, Northwestern, Senior, Setter, 6-2

Melanie Stutsman, Western Kentucky, Junior, Setter, 5-11

Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of Player-of-the-Week selections that will be made through the remainder of the season and announced on Tuesday or Wednesday of each week.

College and conference SIDs are welcome to make Player-of-the-Week nominations. Nominations are due every Monday by 1 p.m. Pacific time.